Memphis Grizzlies small forward Chandler Parsons said he will return from injury Wednesday night in the road game against the Detroit Pistons.
Parsons, who has been out since Nov. 18 due to a bone bruise in his left knee, received medical clearance after being re-evaluated Wednesday morning. He went through an intense pregame workout Tuesday night, focusing on shooting drills that tested his conditioning and agility, to test his knee.
"I can't wait to get out there with my teammates," Parsons told ESPN. "They've done a great job without me. I look forward to helping in any way that I can."
Parsons has played in only six games this season after signing a four-year, $94 million maximum contract with the Grizzlies. He missed the first six games of the season after his recovery from a March surgery on his right knee, the second major operation on that knee in two years, stretched into the regular season.
The Grizzlies are 18-12 despite Parsons missing so much time, as well as extended absences by several other key players, including point guard Mike Conley, who recently returned after missing three weeks due to transverse process fractures in his lower back.
Memphis coach David Fizdale said the minutes restriction that Parsons was under earlier in the season will be reset. He is likely to begin in the neighborhood of 15 minutes per game and gradually work his way up.
Parsons, 28, averaged 7.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 21 minutes during his first six games with the Grizzlies. He has career averages of 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Fizdale has repeatedly said that he looks forward to utilizing Parsons' versatility in a more featured role than the forward has played in his previous stints with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. However, the Grizzlies plan to patiently increase Parsons' responsibilities in the offense as he works his way into a groove.
"I'm really excited, but I'm also a realist from the standpoint of he'll be rusty, too," Fizdale said.